Suzie Q

February 3, 2017 

I stopped in to the Village today specifically to register for the “Ol’ Blue Eyes” Valentine performance with Mark Buttice on February 10!  It’s only a week away!  I’ve seen him in concert before and what they are advertising is true…if you close your eyes….you actually think it’s Frank!  His back-up band is amazing as well. I was able to see the menu which includes so many delicious items and Frank’s favorite foods (how clever!) …such as “Chicken Cardinale” (Red Pepper, Fresh Mozzarella, Marsala Reduction); “Salmon Con Montello” (Capers, Lemon, Fresh Thyme) and New York Style Cheese Cake!  Wow I’m hungry for it already and can’t wait to enjoy this great night with my hubby and all of our friends.

My sister just signed my nephew and niece up for “Teepee Ted” during the winter break.  I heard the program is great and includes how Indians lived in the wilderness on Long Island, how to use bow and arrows, making tools and stringing jewelry!  It’s for 6 to 9 year olds and runs February 21 to 23! I know “Running Scared, Running Free” is being offered again at the Cultural Center now through February 28.  I’ve seen it and it is one powerful theatrical performance about a slave escaping through the underground railroad.

Of course I can’t come to my favorite Village and not take advantage of the one stop shopping for great Valentine’s Day gifts.  Village Coffee Market has a “Chocolate Lovers Basket” which is quite unique with different chocolate flavored coffees …Brew Cheese has baskets with craft beers, great cheeses and cheese boards…and The Crushed Olive has amazing choices as well.  Speaking of The Crushed Olive they now have a nutritionist in the shop every Sunday and Monday!  The Blue Spa has facials to die for and I got my sister the Chocolate Mousse and Sweet Red Rose ones!  She will love it! There are so many great things to choose from here that I sometimes forget another choice is the Gift Certificate that can be used anywhere in the Village!  You can pick one of those up at the management office above Cottontails!   

Last but not least Stony Brook Village is celebrating We Love Our Veterans for the month of February!  Participating shops and restaurants will thank and honor the service of our brave men and women by offering special discounts, free coffee, free samples and much more so spread the word.  You can check out all the offers on the website!  This is yet one more reason why I love this Village!

Happy Valentine’s Day Everyone!

Ciao for now…Suzie Q

January 16. 2017

Suzie Q here with the latest Buzz Around Stony Brook Village

I came to the Village today because it was a beautiful day and I was getting cabin fever.  I’ve taken some outstanding photos recently! It’s such a clear, crisp day and the sky is blue so I thought I would get some more.

My first stop is at the Village Coffee Market for some more of his pancake mix and maple syrup-  I tried it for the family over the holidays and it was terrific (I buy the gluten free).

I heard LOFT has a great sale so I’m going to stop there first but I’ve got time today so I’ll stop at all of the apparel stores, they’re all having sales –Wish, Chico’s, Mint and Jos. A. Bank.  It’s a good time to pick up gifts for Valentine’s Day.  By the way, the valentine outfits in Cottontails are red and outstanding!

When I passed Wish I saw that Chocolate Works has fresh fruit floral bouquets for Valentine’s Day.  The fruit is dipped in chocolate.  That’s something new.  I’m ordering one now for my sister.

I’m also going to arrange to have a special merlot from Lakeside Emotions put in a basket of cheese with a cutting board from Brew Cheese and some of their craft beer.  That will be a good gift for my friend.

While I’m here, I’m getting tickets to see Sinatra with Danny Bacher and the Jazz Loft band at the Educational & Cultural Center (ECC) this weekend.  I’m going to one of the evening shows because they’re serving wine and refreshments.  It’s only $40.  I also see that on January 29th they are having Chinese New Year.  This is the year of the rooster.  I love that Lion Dance especially when the lion spits out cabbage for good luck.  The Long Island Chinese Dance Group dancers have such beautiful costumes (these are some of the pictures I took last year).  I’m bringing my niece because she loves the show and craft afterwards.

Now I’m off to Fratelli’s for pizza and an espresso and then home.

Now I feel refreshed – this place does that to you!

Ciao until next time!

Suzie Q

12-14-16

Suzie Q here with the latest Buzz Around Town

I’m just about done with my holiday shopping…How about you? There are only two more Thursdays left for late night shopping – open till 8 pm!! If you need a unique gift idea definitely pick up tickets to the musical theatrical tribute performance of “Holiday Wishes from Mary Martin & Dinah Shore” at the Cultural Center – my parents saw the show and said it was the best one they’re ever seen and they have gone to many of them.  Check out this sneak peek message from the actresses right here!

For more great gift ideas, David at Brew Cheese now offers custom cheese baskets. Stop by and take a taste – they are all amazing! Just steps away is Christophe at Lakeside Emotions for some great wine so right there is the perfect pairing for a hostess gift!  The Educational and Cultural Center of course has really special items at their Gift Shop, and some of the newest ones are a Stony Brook coloring book and markers and sterling silver bracelets in the shape of Long Island with …get this… real sand in them from Sand Street Beach right here in Stony Brook!  I picked up a few of those for the beach lovers on my list! I understand there are only five left!

 I just found out that Sue, a dietitian, will probably be at The Crushed Olive in January!  What a great idea!  She can help with your recipes too!  And more good news…I just signed my nieces and nephews up for the Chocolate Works’ Gingerbread House Academy Thursdays starting at 6 pm.   They’re chocolate houses and can be decorated with marshmallows, colored candies and more. They will love this!  They also have a kit if you are unable to get there!

I stopped at Crazy Beans for my post-shopping treat and thoroughly enjoyed a Campfire Latte (made with Toasted Marshmallow and Caramel) Wow was it great, sinful but great so I had to share it with you!

Wishing each and every one of you a joyful holiday season and Happy 2017!

Ciao for now!

Suzie Q

11/16/16

Suzie Q here with the latest Buzz Around Town

This balmy November weather continues.  I love it!

I just saw the Musical Theater Performance at the Educational and Cultural Center, which features a tribute to Hollywood icons, Dinah Shore and Mary Martin.  Their lives were fascinating, the music and show were heartwarming and the food was fabulous (I took a picture so you could check it out. Yum. I just might enter it into the Instagram contest that’s running now!!)  I recommend the show highly as a gift to yourself or someone else! 

I love the village at this time of year…it’s so festive. It’s such a leisurely way to shop, not to mention being surrounded by the beauty here.  I found great gifts for my nieces and nephews at Cottontails and all kinds of other great items at Crabtree & Evelyn, Stony Brook Gift Shop, Rocky Point Jewelers, Chocolate Works and the Village Coffee Market!  I also just reserved a holiday tree for my Girl Scout Troop.  They love coming here and decorating it and of course entering the contest for a $150 gift certificate! (I think the deadline is coming up so give them a call at 631-751-2244). I can’t believe the Holiday Festival is only a few weeks away!  I can’t wait!

Of course I stopped for a bite to eat.  This time it was Robinson’s Tea Room for a cup of their tea and one of their delicious homemade scones.  Speaking of food, did you know that Fratelli’s also offers coffee from the Village Coffee Market and has a new chef, Barry! And Latitude 121 has a new manager as well, Michael! If you’re looking to give yourself a cooking break this holiday, Fratelli’s offers a Thanksgiving Feast for up to 16 people for $299 and for a cozier crowd, dinner for two for $39.95.  Of course there are choices here to go out and eat as well! By the way, isn’t it great that we have KAH Fitness AND Zumba classes at Roseland School of Dance in case we need to work off a few of those pounds that always seem to creep up on us during the holidays!   

More news! Did you see that some of the shops and restaurants here made Dan’s Papers’ “Best of the Best” including Mirabelle at Three Village Inn, Brew Cheese and The Crushed Olive….and Village Coffee Market is having a Holiday Open House November 29th at 5:30!

If you’re looking for a place to donate items for those in need during Thanksgiving, North Country Gas is holding a food drive.  They need canned goods, instant potatoes, gravy, boxed items, etc!  Just drop them off at the station and Brian and his staff will deliver them to families in need. I’ll be back to take care of that this week.  Let’s not forget what Thanksgiving is all about.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Ciao for now

Suzie Q

October 14, 2016

Today I decided to take an early walk in the Stony Brook Village and enjoy the fall air.  I call these photos morning light.  Then I’m off to Robinson’s Tea Room for one of their blueberry scones (they’re made from scratch you know) and now they’re now open on Mondays!

I decided to register for the event Ladies Night Out in which I heard many of the shops are donating a portion of the proceeds toward breast cancer research. I also registered for the Walk for Beauty (to raise money for Breast Cancer Research) . Then I visited the Educational & Cultural Center, I noticed that they’re having Kerriann Flanagan Brosky as well as Joe Giaquinto (the paranormal who works with her) come and speak about her book, “Historic Haunts of Long Island” on October 27, 2016 at 7:00pm.  They will be serving wine and scary treats. Find out more information about the event here.  

I just love the organization’s new websites.  They are so easy to navigate and so organized.  I suggest you see for yourself – www.stonybrookvillage.com and www.wmho.org.  What a difference.  I learned from the website they are doing one more photography cruise on the Discovery October 29^th to take pictures of the fall foliage and grasses in the wetlands.

On my way home today I’m stopping at Brew Cheese to get some more Tubba cheese (aged in old subway tunnels in Brooklyn) and the ­­­­­­­­­­–Lavender Cheese with Espresso.  You know David Striffler just became a certified Cheese Monger from the American Cheese Association.  You know there are several steps you must go through before you receive the certificate.  He studied at the Institut du Fromage in Florida.  Prior to taking his test in Iowa, he had to prove he worked 5,000 hours in the cheese industry with direct experiences. He is the only certified Cheese Monger on Long Island.  Congratulations, David! Visit Brew Cheese’s Official Facebook Page for more info and weekly specials.

Now I’m going to check out fall apparel at Wish, Mint, LOFT, Chico’s and Flair and then stop by the Village Coffee Market for his pumpkin spice coffee to take home. And, don’t forget to vote………..for the scarecrows!

Ciao for now!

Suzie Q

Suzie Q here with the latest Buzz Around Town:

How can it be September already? Each of the seasons brings a special beauty to my favorite Village!

I came down recently to meet Nick and John from Stony Brook Harbor Kayak & Paddle Board! They recently opened at Stony Brook Marine Services across from the Three Village Inn. I wanted to check it all out before I rented. I’ve never done this before, so it was great to hear they give lessons as well! This will be a great time of year to go out with the trees and marsh grasses changing colors.

I’m also going to book the Photography Cruise on the Discovery boat for October 1^st. The last one was rained out due to that heavy down pour so I can’t wait, especially since it’s the last photography cruise of the season!

I love checking out what’s new at the shops! Gary at the Village Coffee Market now has Nespresso biodegradable coffee refills! They are hard to find so that’s great news. I picked up quite a few and they are the best! Did you know that The Crushed Olive has a flavor of the month? This time it’s Fig Balsamic. They have a great recipe with that one plus the Blood Orange Olive Oil. Stop by and ask for it!

I see the LEGO Contest is starting at the Cultural Center and the deadline to enter is this Monday, September 5! It’s such a great event and all the entries will be on exhibit September 17^th thru October 16^th. My sister came down and signed my nephew up. His creation last year was pretty impressive. Also, I see the holiday performances have been announced already. It’s going to be “Holiday Wishes” from Mary Martin and Dinah Shore. It starts November 16^th, so I have to make sure I get mom and dad tickets as well as myself! Two “celebrity” tributes for the price of one! The actors in these shows are always great.

Chess anyone? Erin at the Center told me they are getting in chess sets so people can play in Inner Court. They installed new tables there that have inlaid chess boards on them! What a fantastic idea!

I’m off now to meet some friends at Robinson’s Tea Room. (They’re all finished redecorating and it looks great). Of course afterward we will take in Mint, Wish, Chico’s and Loft to check out the fall styles.

Happy September! Ciao for now!

Suzie Q

The Buzz Around Town…

I hope everyone is staying cool!
I came to town with my niece the other day and she now loves the village as much as I do! She’s going to her first year of college in the fall and picked up quite a few things at LOFT (by the way they are having a great sale). She was also thrilled to see so many PokemonGo locations here! She said there are eight spots in the Village, not that I would know anything about that, but it was fun having her try to teach me! What fun! She’s a level 11 – pretty good!!

We also stopped at Robinson’s Tea Room and had a great lunch outdoors on the patio. I noticed new outdoor tables with a chess board built into each one! How clever! I play all the time so I will definitely come back with a friend and bring my chess pieces so we can play. We also noticed that fall registration is now open for Roseland’s School of Dance. I’ve heard great things about them. My nieces would love that so I have to let my sister know.

We also stopped at Crabtree & Evelyn before leaving to pick up a few of their summer skin care items – I love their Summer Hill moisturizing cream and it was great that there was a 30% off sale too! The sun can really dry your skin and their products are great! My niece opted for Blue Salon & Spa’s skin care product called Eminence which is amazing as well!

Have you seen the shrubs that were removed down by Chico’s and Wish? Wow what a difference it makes! You can see such an expansive view of the harbor now and so many more of the shops from Main Street as well! What a smart idea that was! I never knew there was a waterfall and pond in that area of the Village Green. Such a peaceful spot.

I couldn’t have picked a better place to have a great day out with my niece before she heads off to college!

Ciao for now…Suzie Q